Overnight Vigil @ Consulate for Release of GABNET 3 US Women Citizens Held In Philippines

U.S.-WIDE VIGIL FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF GABNET 3--U.S. CITIZENS / PERMANENT RESIDENT BANNED FROM LEAVING THE PHILIPPINES
WHAT: Vigil demanding the immediate release of GABNet 3--National Chairperson Dr. Annalisa Enrile, Founders Ninotchka Rosca and Judith Mirkinson (view flyer)

WHEN: 13 August 2007, Monday, 4PM

WHERE: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, and San Francisco/Bay Area

LOS ANGELES
*Overnight Vigil starting at 4:00pm
Philippine Consulate
3600 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
losangeles [at] gabnet.org

SAN FRANCISCO/BAY AREA
Philippine Consulate
447 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
sfbayarea [at] gabnet.org

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Philippine Consulate
556 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10036
nynj [at] gabnet.org

CHICAGO
Philippine Consulate
30 North Michigan Ave.
Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60602
chicago [at] gabnet.org

On Monday, August 13, 2007, GABRIELA Network USA (GABNet) will hold a US-wide vigil in front of Philippine Consular Offices to demand the immediate removal of 3 of its leaders from the Philippine Department of Justice's "hold" list and that they be allowed to return home to the US at once.

GABNet National Chairperson Dr. Annalisa Enrile was barred from boarding her return flight from Manila, Philippines last August 5th. The Philippine DOJ had put her on a "hold" list. Two other GABNet leaders--novelist, journalist Ninotchka Rosca and veteran activist Judith Mirkinson, both founders of GABNet--are reportedly on the same "hold" list and are likely to face the same restriction of movement. The GABNet 3 had attended the 10th bi-annual Women's Solidarity Affair in the Philippines (July 29-August 5, 2007). Dr. Enrile also led a University of Southern California immersion program.

"It's clear that the Philippine government, led by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is desperately trying to intimidate and silence international solidarity," GABNet Secretary General Doris Mendoza said, "especially those focusing on the countless human rights violations and political killings. But our membership and allies are now even more determined. For us, this harrassment of the GABNet 3 re-confirms the undemocratic and unjust character of this US-backed Macapagal Arroyo regime."

GABNet is a Philippine-US women's solidarity mass organization established in 1989. It co-sponsored an all women human rights legal mission, led by the GABNet 3, to the Philippines last year.